overlook 1 of 2

Definition of overlooknext
1
as in to dominate
to look down on the fortress overlooks the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
4
as in to possess
to cast a spell on the superstitious grandmother actually believed that the baby had been overlooked by a gypsy woman

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5
6
7

overlook

2 of 2

noun

as in lookout
a high place or structure from which a wide view is possible just down the road there's a great overlook where you can get a panoramic view of the valley below

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word overlook distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of overlook are disregard, forget, ignore, neglect, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

When would disregard be a good substitute for overlook?

While in some cases nearly identical to overlook, disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

When is it sensible to use forget instead of overlook?

While the synonyms forget and overlook are close in meaning, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

Where would ignore be a reasonable alternative to overlook?

The words ignore and overlook can be used in similar contexts, but ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When is neglect a more appropriate choice than overlook?

The words neglect and overlook are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

When can slight be used instead of overlook?

In some situations, the words slight and overlook are roughly equivalent. However, slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting.

slighted several major authors in her survey

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overlook
Verb
From the nearby lighthouse, visitors craned for a better view of Swift’s mansion, a sprawling white home perched atop a rocky bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Leah Willingham, Fortune, 21 June 2026 Rumors take hold From the nearby lighthouse, visitors craned for a better view of Swift’s mansion, a sprawling white home perched atop a rocky bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Leah Willingham, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026
Noun
For 40 years, Root has built a career out of seeing people most of us overlook. Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2026 Human Medications And Vitamins One hazard many pet owners overlook has nothing to do with food, Glassman says. Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for overlook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlook
Verb
  • Summer 2026 is having a tough time deciding on this season’s dominating nail trend.
    María Diez, Vogue, 26 June 2026
  • Ivory Coast leads at halftime, and has largely dominated this match so far.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Price is where almost every search starts, and the difference between countries is hard to ignore.
    Malana VanTyler, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
  • By the time the sponsor wants to sell, the buyer sees what the sponsor ignored.
    Louis Mosca, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • That enables Cadence’s system, which is supervised by physicians, to alert a clinician when a patient is deteriorating before a stroke or heart attack, for example.
    Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • Judge Stacy Street sentenced Beckwith to three years supervised probation, the court clerk confirmed to USA TODAY.
    Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Count the Nuggets, who possess picks 26 and 49, in the expensive teams group.
    Tony East, Forbes.com, 24 June 2026
  • Ghana will be a very different test, with the likes of Antoine Semenyo – who was actually born in London – possessing the ability to ask real questions of the England defenders who looked a little shaky at times in the first game.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Link to earlier discovery The new findings come less than a year after Perseverance examined a rock called Cheyava Falls, which scientists described as one of the most intriguing samples collected on Mars.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 25 June 2026
  • Take a couple of minutes to examine one testicle at a time.
    Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Schmidt can be forgiven for making this headline-grabbing prediction.
    Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026
  • Philodendrons are easy and forgiving enough for beginners, but even more experienced gardeners love them for their variety of foliage and easy care.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Both Ghana and England will walk away with a point after Ghana managed to hold off England in a heart-pounding final few minutes of stoppage time.
    Monica Alba, NBC news, 24 June 2026
  • Most of the site sits on private land, with a smaller portion managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • There are stunning views of the city from the various lookouts atop Mount Royal.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 June 2026
  • The agency has also been urging doctors to be on the lookout and report any cases.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 22 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overlook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlook. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on overlook

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster